You Won’t Believe the Most OP Fists and Claws in Dark Souls 3

Summary

• Fists & Claws in Dark Souls 3 have a limited selection, short range, and moderate speed, making them a niche choice.
• Despite this, they offer unique movesets, skills, and other advantages for specialized builds, especially in PvE.
• Some weapons, like the Crow Talons and Demon’s Fist, stand out with striking designs and powerful skills, making them deadly tools.

In Dark Souls 3, Fists and Claws are less frequently picked weapons compared to others like Greatswords because they seem comparatively weak in terms of damage and speed when contrasted with their versions in Dark Souls 2 or Elden Ring. These melee weapons have the shortest reach among all, falling behind even most daggers in terms of range, despite similar attack speeds and damages. Consequently, Fists and Claws lack notable benefits, making them a less common choice for many players. Furthermore, there are only a few options to choose from in the game, with merely three Fists and three Claws available.

In summary, the unique move sets and weapon skills of certain Fists and Claws in Dark Souls 3 make them appealing choices for players seeking to tailor specialized character builds, particularly in PvE. Ideal for experienced gamers wanting to add a fresh twist to their gameplay, these weapons promote an intense, face-to-face combat style against bosses and challenging foes. Survival depends on quick reflexes and precise dodging. Moreover, they are effective parrying tools due to their swift parry frames, allowing players to adopt a playstyle similar to Bloodborne’s fast-paced action. Thus, we will evaluate all Fist and Claw weapons in Dark Souls 3, examining their stats and distinctive benefits.

6. Claw

Gets The Job Done But Rather Unremarkable

As a gamer, I’ve gotta say, the default claw in Dark Souls 3 isn’t exactly subpar – it’s just average, you know? Its design is simple and its moveset is solid enough, but nothing too extraordinary. When you wield these bad boys in both hands, you get this Wolverine-esque look going on, which I gotta admit, is pretty cool.

With some practice and the strategic use of the Leaping Slash skill, these claws can pack quite a punch, but be aware they’ve got a shorter attack range than most weapons. And let’s not forget, every swing with these claws adds a bit of bleed to your enemies (around 30%).

Using the Leaping Slash ability results in a dynamic leap attack, where your character performs a somersault over an enemy’s head. If timed accurately, this move is considered a headshot, causing severe damage and rapid Bleed accumulation, making Claw a potent yet skill-reliant asset.

How to get the Claw:

A significant disadvantage of the Claw weapon lies in its relatively late introduction during gameplay. Players can discover this tool in the optional Consumed King’s Garden region within Lothric Castle, hidden underneath the central platform guarded by Pus of Man adversaries.

5. Manikin Claws

Trading Damage For Slightly Better Range

In the sequel to Dark Souls 2, the distinctive Manikin Claws make their reappearance, preserving their signature curved shape. Although they are less powerful than their earlier version and can sometimes be tricky to find in Dark Souls 3, the Manikin Claws still boast some exclusive advantages. Similar to all Claws, they naturally enhance Bleed damage (with a buildup of 30), enabling players to inflict heavy HP damage once the Bleed limit is surpassed. Notably, several bosses in Dark Souls 3 are susceptible to Bleed, such as Crystal Sage, Dancer of the Boreal Valley, Lothric, Younger Prince, and additional DLC-exclusive bosses.

Among Manikin Claws, one notable feature is their extended reach, surpassing that of any other claw in the game. Yet, this added range results in lower damage per second (DPS), making them less potent in terms of raw power. Nevertheless, they are admired for the Quickstep ability, which enables players to dodge enemy attacks gracefully and move swiftly around them, reminiscent of the aggressive combat style seen in Bloodborne.

How to get the Manikin Claws:

Previously stated, the elusive Manikin Claws may go unnoticed. To acquire these claws, players should provoke Yuria of Londor, a mysterious NPC connected to the Usurpation of Fire questline. This can be done by various means: killing the Pilgrim of Londor in the Church of Yorshka while saving Anri of Astora, healing the Dark Sigil, or attacking Yuria of Londor directly upon encountering her. Once these actions are taken, the Manikin Claws can be obtained by defeating either the Londor Pale Shade invader in Irithyll of The Boreal Valley or the Dark Spirit Londor Pale Shade invader in Farron Keep.

4. Dark Hand

A Truly Unique Non-Upgradable Weapon With No Requirements

In the game Dark Souls 3, there’s a distinctive weapon called the “Dark Hand” that functions as a Fist. This unique weapon can perform a special Hollow combat art, and it also serves as a rudimentary (although quite feeble) defensive shield when needed. Unlike many other Fist weapons, it cannot be wielded with two hands unless players decide to use one in each hand. The Dark Hand finds itself in a balanced position among Pyromancy Flames, spell catalysts, and conventional Fist weapons within the game.

The unique feature of the Dark Hand weapon stands out because it can’t be enhanced and has no specific stat requirements. This makes it excessively powerful in the early to mid-game but less effective later on as better upgraded weapons deal more damage. However, its high base damage (and excellent Dark split damage), strong scaling potential, and ease of acquisition after defeating Vordt of the Boreal Valley make it a versatile choice for most character builds. With skillful use, it can swiftly defeat early to mid-game bosses such as Dancer of the Boreal Valley, Oceiros, the Consumed King, and even Champion Gundyr.

In the game Dark Souls 3, The Dark Hand’s combat ability, Lifedrain, functions as described – it drains Health Points (HP) from opponents whenever it strikes them. However, this skill is only effective against human enemies, making it less versatile in the game given that most of its foes are undead or demonic.

How to get the Dark Hand:

Obtaining the Dark Hand isn’t difficult: you can buy it from Yuria in Londor, located at Firelink Shrine, for a total of 12,000 Souls.

3. Crow Talons

Beautiful And Deadly, With Effective Spinning Flurry Skill

Without a doubt, the Crow Talons from Dark Souls 3 are exceptional, boasting five razor-sharp claws that cause significant Bleed on each swipe. These weapons, found in the Ashes of Ariandel expansion, aren’t acquired until later in the game, but they shine brightly as one of the most entertaining PvE weapons, particularly useful against invading NPCs. The Crow Talons let players spam their powerful move, Raptor Flurry, which provides high hyper armor and dishes out massive damage with a series of slashes.

Using Raptor Flurry, a player unleashes a series of swift and powerful strikes, spreading their talons wide as if they were wings first. This move is not only visually impressive but also incredibly effective, making the Crow Talons a thrilling pick for battling bosses and tough DLC foes. With their aggressive and smoothly flowing attack style, these Claws can be a valuable asset to players who prefer an offensive gameplay approach.

How to get the Crow Talons:

To get hold of the Crow Talons, players should move forward in the Ashes of Ariandel expansion pack until they arrive at Corvian Village. You can find this weapon on top of a building’s roof, under the watchful eyes of two swift Corvians who use magic.

2. Caestus

Effective Multi-Purpose Tool

In the realm of Dark Souls 3, I’ve found myself consistently drawn to the understated yet powerful Caestus. It might seem ordinary with its thick leather straps fortified by iron rivets, but don’t let its humble appearance deceive you. When it comes to PvP, many players, including myself, choose to wield it in their off-hand. This is due to its astonishingly swift parry frames and featherweight at a mere 0.5 units. The Caestus stands out as one of the premier parrying tools in this game, providing a swift and dependable counter to oncoming assaults.

The Caestus isn’t just known for its defensive abilities; it can be enhanced with Holy or Common infusions, offering additional health or spell power regeneration as a handy perk for any battle strategy. Its skill, Tenacity, is well-liked and dependable, temporarily enhancing stamina and damage resistance. This enables players to endure enemy attacks and counter with their own strikes effectively.

How to get the Caestus:

One significant advantage of the Caestus is its ease and quickness to acquire. You can find this weapon by looting a body in the Undead Settlement’s sewers, which means you can get your hands on it during the early stages of the game.

1. Demon’s Fist

Standout Fire-Covered Design With A Devastating And Fun Skill

In the realm of Fist and Claw weapons in Dark Souls 3, none surpasses the power and elegance of the Demon’s Fist. This weapon is not only admired for its captivating, fiery design, but it also sets ablaze with a vibrant, orange-hued essence. In terms of statistics, it outshines every other weapon in its class, adding extra Fire damage to its attacks. This makes it an excellent pick for Strength-based builds, yet versatile enough for other playstyles due to its scalability. With a bit of investment in Strength, even Pyromancers can use the Demon’s Fist as a potent melee alternative, enhancing their fire-centric attacks.

One key feature of this weapon is its unique ability, Flame Whirlwind. When triggered, the user spins among enemies with blazing fists, pushing back and inflicting damage on all surrounding opponents. The hyper armor it provides adds to its strength. During the spin, a powerful follow-up attack causes a ground slam, releasing an area-of-effect explosion that impacts nearby adversaries. Consequently, the Demon’s Fist stands out as a dominating force in both player versus environment (PvE) and player versus player (PvP), even taking into account its significant weight.

How to get the Demon’s Fist:

In the game Dark Souls 3, the Demon’s Fist stands alone as the unique boss weapon in its category. To claim this weapon, players must conquer the optional Fire Demon hidden within the Smouldering Lake’s secret area, which is nestled in the Catacombs of Carthus. Once defeated, the Soul of the Demon can be transformed into either the Demon’s Fist or the Demon’s Greataxe.

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2025-02-22 08:08